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Inatarni was hunting today. Really, someone who didn't know them would think she and her mate spent no time at all together. One was usually out hunting and the other usually protecting their den, or doing something else mildly productive in that vicinity. But everyone needed time to themselves and now was that for the black lioness.

Or so she thought, until she saw a tan lioness stalking across the land. Red eyes appraised the stranger and judged that it could very well be the lioness Antallian had encountered not too long ago. She certainly seemed angry though, and Bauble hadn't mentioned any significant amount of stress on the stranger's part.

Well, time had passed, maybe she still didn't know where she was going. The black lioness flowed skillfully through the contours of the land until she came up out of dry gully on a parallel course to the other lioness.

"Good afternoon," she called out. Inatarni reasoned that since Antallian had already spoken with the other female, she might as well be polite and speak first.

Welladay. So the stranger did have more manners than Antallian had indicated. That was always a pleasant surprise. Inatarni had no problems with the other lioness obviously sizing her up, as she was doing the same thing. The overall result was a favorable impression.

Sadly, Inatarni wasn't very good at making polite conversation about nothing. So she bit the bullet.

"Antallian said you were asking him some questions," she commented by way of trying to initiate conversation. It was one of her rustier skills.

Hm, Inatarni couldn't quite tell what it was the other lioness was thinking about her relationship with Antallian. Hopefully she didn't mind being a subject of brief discussion. After all, the black lioness felt it was important that they both be aware of the strangers seen in their immediate area - and if these were people who were likely to be a threat or not.

She couldn't help smiling at the other's words. So true! "He rarely is," Inatarni replied with an amused snort. "But I love him anyway."

The black lioness cocked her head to one side. "If I remember correctly, Antallian said your name was Bunikee? And I am Inatarni," she continued, introducing herself finally.

An odd way of confirming her identity, Inatarni thought, but effective. "Nice to meet you too," she replied reflexively. The black lioness studied her companion and thought there had been some relaxation of muscles, and less tension than there had been. That seemed logical, since Inatarni was now a "known" quantity and Bunikee had no reason to distrust her.

Not that said trust was misplaced of course. But you could never be too careful.

Inatarni smiled at the question. It was much less blunt and harsh than Antallian had led her to believe, and entirely logical, all things considered.

"Yes and no," was the response. "Yes you're still in territory that we know very well, but I'm farther out than usual today. It's true you could be farther away from where you met Bauble - my mate - but that says nothing for hunting, for caution, or for just needed a day or more of rest." The black lioness paused for all that to sink in while another thought occurred to her.

"Is there...someplace in particular you're trying to get to?" she asked. There weren't too many landmarks around here, but she knew them, and knew some of the nearer prides as well. Inatarni was somewhat surprised by how much she wanted to help Bunikee, and how much she'd like to be friends with her.

Clearly Bunikee had been hoping to get further away in the time that had passed since her meeting with Antallian. That was something Inatarni could only shrug her shoulders at since she had no control over it. It was interesting, however, what the sandy lioness had said.

"Huh," the black lioness replied, thinking over possible responses. "What do you know about this place that you want to be?" Worst case scenario: Ina had absolutely no more idea than Bunikee about how to get to wherever it was. But she gave it even odds that she might know something, a direction at least, that could help the other lioness out.

She'd try, damnit, and that was what counted.

Red eyes blinked. That...wasn't exactly what Inatarni had expected to hear. Rather, it was not at all what she had expected to hear. And Bunikee was right, it did sound very strange.

The black lioness shook her head. "Well, it seems I can't help you then, since you'll probably have to see this place with your own eyes to know if it's what you're looking for." A pity, that. But that was life. And if some power out there had decided Bunikee needed to wander around aimlessly for a while, there was nothing the sandy lioness would be able to do about it.

Sadly, if this wasn't the place Bunikee was looking for, Inatarni's hopes for a friendship would be in vain. As earlier evidenced, the other lioness had no interest in remaining in the area.

Inatarni watched the other lioness muse aloud. She wasn't sure what to say - if she should even say anything - to such a strange thing. The black lioness wanted to help Bunikee, but had no idea what would help, or how a person could help her in her strange quest.

Her ears perked up though at the sandy lioness' other words. "If you'd like to stay with us, Antallian and I, we'd be happy to have you," she offered. After all, that was what a break meant, right? Staying in one place for a while, perhaps with new friends...